The Pros and Cons of Eloping

Dream of skipping town with the love of your life and saying “I Do” somewhere remote, on top of a mountain or in front of a waterfall? Whether that’s you and your fiancé to a T, or you just want a romantic date at city hall, eloping has its perks. But before you make the call to keep it small and intimate or have the big fairytale wedding, read these helpful tips from a couple of professionals. They share the pros and cons of eloping – and you may not have thought of them all – right here:

The Pros and Cons of Eloping
Photo by Shannan Leigh PhotographyEdgy Malibu Cliffs Elopement

The Pros

Morgan Childs, Founder & Creative Director, Modern Elopement shares…

1. You get to have the wedding experience you want. With an intimate wedding you can choose to splurge on the things that matter to you and not worry about compromising to accommodate all of your guests. Whether that is the dream destination or pulling out all the stops for a once in a lifetime dinner, you can do more with less guests.

2. It costs less. Less guests and a simplified experience means you will spend significantly less on your wedding day, even with some of the splurges. Then, you can use that money for a honeymoon, down payment on a house, or simply save it.

3. You get to spend more time with your guests. An elopement is so intimate that you really get to enjoy time with your loved ones and your new spouse. The day won’t fly by as you rush to say Hi to everyone, so there is time to have meaningful moments and conversations.
4. Epic backdrops. One of the benefits of an elopement is that you can have your ceremony or photos on the edge of a cliff, on a fantasy tropical island or a stately courthouse – whatever your style is you are not limited by your guest count and resources.

5.. No planning headaches. You don’t have to worry about a year of budgeting, vendor contracts, seating assignments and the multitude of opinions and unsolicited advice from your friends and family on your big day.


From Sherene Hulugalle of 
Jasmine Vine

6. Privacy. If the ceremony and the promises you make to each other are sacred and you want to keep it just between the two of you, or if one or both of you is easily overwhelmed or doesn’t enjoy being the center of attention an elopement is the best option.

7. You can go anywhere. If you like to explore beautiful places and a destination wedding is something you have always dreamed about, instead of worrying about who can make it, who will travel or not, forget about invitations, and start your honeymoon early.

The Cons

The Pros and Cons of Eloping
Photo by Gladys Gem, San Francisco City Hall Elopement

1. Could exclude family and meaningful traditions. If you appreciate family traditions and want to continue them at your wedding, eloping may not be a good idea. Eloping could also exclude your family and friends from sharing in the happiness and excitement of your wedding. – Jasmine Vine

Modern Elopement continues…
2. Your guest count is limited. An elopement is defined as an intimate wedding and can be anywhere from just the couple up to 25 guests. This means that a lot of your friends and extended family won’t make the cut.

3.
 No dance party. Usually an elopement is a ceremony followed by a dinner reception and doesn’t include the traditional elements like a first dance, cake cutting and those memorable dance floor shenanigans.

4. 
Foregoing the Pinterest wedding. Elopements are by nature simpler weddings and don’t have all the opportunities to add all of those many ideas and details that you have had pinned on your wedding board for years.

5. 
No wedding registry. Since elopements are small affairs there is not the opportunity to notify your guests of where you are registered and not generally good etiquette to requests gifts without an invitation to the celebration.

6. 
Giving up the bridal party. Elopements don’t usually have a bridal party because there are so few guests anyway that it becomes silly to make the distinction. So, you won’t get to honor your squad with the official titles of bridesmaids or groomsmen.


After weighing the pros & cons, how would you celebrate?

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